Container



Oct. 15, 1957 Filed 001:. l, 1956 R. L. WHITE CONTAINER 3 Sheets- Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 27 Roger L. Whize.

L26 W/w -29 ATTORNEYS.

R. L. WHITE CONTAINER Oct. 15, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 1, 1956 INVENTOR. er L. Whffe.

ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 15, 1957 R. L. WHITE 2,809,775

CONTAINER Fi'led Oct. 1, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Roger L. White. BY

ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O CONTAINER Roger L. White, Lawrence, Kans., assignor to The Lawrence Paper Company, Lawrence, Kans., a corporation .of as Application October 1, 1956, Serial No. 613,318 6 Claims. (CL 229-34) This invention relates to containers or boxes and, more particularly, to thoseiof that character constructed of fiber or like board such as-double-faced corrugated paper board, and has for its principal object to provide such a container or box of unusual multiple wall structure with extending portions that cooperate with a cover to position the containers in a stack or carload in such a manner that they will always have ventilation on all four 9 sides.

It is common practice to ship fruit and the like in what is termed wooden fruit lugs, but such containers are expensive, heavy to handle and require considerable space for the empty containers during transportation or storage thereof.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide a container body and cover, each of which is formed from single sheets of fiber board such as double-faced corrugated board and cooperate when assembled to form a structure of increased strength for stacking with the portions of the container so arranged that it may be die cut from the sheet material with a minimum of waste; to provide a container and cover therefor, each of which is folded with inter-engaging parts holding'same in erected condition without theuse of tape, stitching or metal fasteners; to provide such a container and cover which may be shipped and stored in knocked down condition and erectedat the place of use; to provide such a container and cover which when folded in erected condition provides substantially quadruple thickness in the end'walls and container spacing lugs integral with'portionsof'the walls and extending beyond the sidewalls of the container; to provide such a container and cover therefor with ventilating'openings in the top and bottom and at the fold lines between the side walls and top and bottom whereby the cooperation of the cover and spacing lugs in maintaining the containers in spaced relation in a stack assures ventilation around the four sides of the container and ventilation through the container; to provide a containerand cover structure wherein the container is of desiredshape and size for articles to be shipped therein and the cover such that the sides and end project beyond the sides and-endsof the container body whereby a predetermined number will fit in a certain space, for example, across a' railroad car; and to provide a container and cover therefor that is economical to manufacture in a .very strong structure with'extreme stacking strength'in the ends that is adapted 'for the shipment of fruits and the like without the use of wood and like reinforcing.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the'present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, -'the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying'drawings, wherein: i

Fig; l is a perspective view of a container and cover in .accordance-with-the present invention.

Fig. Zis a plan view of-the blank from which the container body-is formed.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a blank from which the cover is formed.

2,809,775 Patented Oct. 15, 1957.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the container and cover taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 1.

Fig.7 5 is a transverse sectional view through the container and cover taken on the line 55, Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the container body in partially erected condition.

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the container bodyin erected condition, with a portion broken away to show the multiple thickness in an end wall.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the cover in partially erected condition.

Fig. 9 is perspective View of the cover-in erected condition, with portions broken away to show the multiple thickness end portions of the end walls thereof.

Referring more in detail to the-drawings:

1 designates a container which includes a container body 2 and a cover 3, said body and cover preferably being formed from single blanks 4 and 5 respectively of fiber or like board such as double-faced corrugated paper board.

The body 2 of the container has a bottom wall 6. substantially rectangular .in shape and provided with upwardly extending end walls 7 and 8 and side walls 9 and 10, the blanks being provided with suitably spaced parallel score or crease lines 11 and 12 for facilitating the upward bending of the end walls along the proper lines and suitably spaced parallel score or crease lines 13 and 14 to facilitate the upward bending of the side walls 9 and 10 respectively along the proper lines. The end walls have extensions 15 and 16 of a width slightly less than the spacing between the score lines 13 and 14, said extensions each being adapted to told on spaced score lines 17 and 18 arranged whereby the score lines 17 are spaced from the score lines 11 and 12 respectively a distance substantially corresponding to the heighth of the side walls 9 and 10. The extensions 15 and 16 have outer edges .19 from which project spaced lugs 26 with a distance between the score line 18 and the edge 19 substantially corresponding to the heighth of the end walls 7 and 8 whereby the extensions 15 and 16 may be folded inwardly and downwardly in spaced relation to the respective end walls 7 and 8, said spacing corresponding substantially to the spacing between the score lines 17 and 18. When the said extensions 15 and 16 are folded inwardly and downwardly, the edges 19 engage the upper surface of the bottom wall 6, and the lugs 20 extend into spaced slots 21 in said bottom wall and spaced from the some lines 11 and 12 a distance substantially corresponding to the spacing between the score lines 17 and 13, said spacing preferably substantially corresponding to twice the thickness of the board from which the blank is cut.

The side walls 9 and 10 have end flaps 22 and 23 on the respective ends thereof that fold inwardly on score lines or creases 24 and 25, said score lines 24 and 25 being offset and substantially parallel with the score lines ill and 12 respectively a distance substantially corresponding to twice the thickness of the board from which the blank is formed whereby the end flaps when folded inwardly overlie the bottom wall 6 adjacent the ends thereof. Each of the end flaps 22- and 23 have extensions 26 that extend from transverse score lines 27 suitably spaced from the score lines 24 and 25 respectively whereby the extensions 26 may be bent outwardly and folded to overlie the outer surface of the end flaps 22 and 23. The extensions 26 are of such length that when folded back the end portions project beyond the sides 9 and 16 of the container body to form portions of lugs 29. The end edges 30 of said extensions preferably extend upwardly and outwardly from the lower portion of the side walls and terminate in vertical portions 31 suitably spaced fronrtheside walls 9and 10 as later described. The end sions 26 are provided with elongated slots 35 that flaps 22 and 23 in the blank'4 'lie alongside the end walls 7 and 8 respectively, and the cuts 32 separating same provide laterally projecting end'portions 33 which lie against and correspond in shape to the lug portions formed by the end portions of the extensions 26 with the end wall 7 extending upwardly and engaging the outer surface of V the extensions 26 and the end wall extensions and 16 extending downwardly in engagement with the innersurfaces of the end flaps'22 and 23 when the container body is in assembled condition; The end flaps at their inner edges as defined by the score line 27 preferably substantially engage whereby the end flaps 22 and 23, extensions 26, end walls 7 and 8 and end wall extensions 15 and 16 are arranged to provide in the assembled container four thicknesses of the board at said end walls. 7

The end walls 7 and 8 have elongated slots 34- approximately midway the heighth thereof to define hand holds, and the adjacent portions of the end flaps 22 and extenextend across the score lines 27, and when the container body is assembled said slots 35 register with the slots 34. The end Wall extensions 15 and 16 have spaced ventilating openings 36 positioned to register substantially with the end portions of the slots 34 and 35. Additional ventilating openings 37 are spaced along the score lines 13 and 14 whereby said openings have portions thereof in the side walls and portions in the bottom wall of the container. Other ventilating openings 33 are arranged in spaced relation in the bottom wall 6 and ventilating openings or notches 39 are spaced along the upper edges of the side walls. In the structure illustrated, substantially U-shaped cuts are arranged in the end walls 7 and 8 with the legs r a. """'2,s09,775.

of the cut extending from the score line 17 to define lock- 7 ing tabs 46 extending downwardly from the upper portion of the end walls for engagement with the cover 3 as later described.

The cover 3 has a top wall 41 of similar rectangular shape to the bottom wall 6 of the container body 2 but being greater in length and width for a purpose later described. The cover 3 has side flaps 42 and 43 that fold on score lines or creases 44 whereby said side flaps extend downwardly from the top wall 41 with the interior of said side flaps extending over and slidably engaging the vertical portions 31 of the lugs 29 on the container body. It is preferable that the side flaps 42 and 43 have substantially the same heighth as the vertical portions 31 for appearance and full heighth engagement therewith. The side flaps 42 and 43 preferably have corner flaps 45 that fold on score lines 46 at the ends of the side flaps, said corner flaps preferably having transverse double score lines 47 whereby they can be doubled over to form a double thickness at the end and adjacent the corners of the cover. The cover 3 includes end flaps 48 and 4? that fold on score line 50 and said end flaps have double fold lines 51 spaced from the fold lines 5% and from the outer edges 52 of said end flaps to form outer end flanges 53 whereby said end flanges are adapted to be folded under and inside of the corner flaps 45. Locking lugs 54 extend from the edges 52 of the end flap flanges and are adapted to extend into spaced elongated slots 55 in the top wall 41 which are spaced from the score lines 58 approximately twice the thickness of the board from which the blank is formed to accommodate the doubled corner flaps on the side flaps 42 and 43 of the cover. In the structure illustrated, the end flanges 53 of the cover are provided with notched out portions 56 to define an edge 57 adapted v to be engaged with the edges 58 of the locking tabs of the container body. The end flaps 48 are provided with a central aperture 59 that registers with the notched out portion 56 for facilitating disengaging the locking tab as later described. Thecover has a plurality of spaced ventilating apertures 60 arranged along the score lines 44 whereby portions of the apertures are in the top wall 7 41 and portions in the side flaps 42 and 43. Additional spaced ventilatingaperuires 61 are arranged in the top wall 41 to provide for adequate ventilation of the products to be contained in the closed container.

The various portions of the container body and cover are arranged as described whereby the blanks 4 and 5 therefor are substantially rectangular as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 respectively and can be cut with a minimum waste of material. The container body 2 is ofsuitable size and shape to provide the desired length, width and depth for articles to be shipped'therein. The cover is of suitable size and shape to close the container body and have projecting sides and ends of such dimensions that a predetermined number of such covers fill certain spacing, for example the width of a railroad car, whereby the covers and the container bodies are held against shifting in the cars during shipment. This arrangement reduces or eliminates damaging impacts on containers that are common when they can shift during shipment. The present structure is such that the containers and covers form a solid load when stacked in a carrier.

The container body 2 and cover 3 may be shipped flat to any desired point of use. Then the container body 2 is erected as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. The side walls 9 and 10 are turned upwardly relative to the bottom wall 6 on the score lines 13 and 14. The end flap extensions 26 are then folded outwardly on the score lines 27 to overlie the end flaps 22 and 23, and the doubled formation on said end flaps 22 and 23 are then folded inwardly on the score lines 24 and 25 respectively whereby the lower outer surface on the extensions 26 substantially aligns with the score lines 11 and 12, and the end portions of said extensions project beyond the upright side walls 9 and 10. The end walls 7 and 8 are then folded upwardly whereby the inner surfaces of said end walls engage the outer surfaces of the extensions 26, and the side edges of the end walls 7 and 8 align with the edges of the projecting portions of the extensions to define the two thicknesses of the spacing lugs 29 that extend from the side walls of the container body, said lugs projecting from the side walls a distance to engage the inside of the side flaps of the cover. The end wall extensions 15 and 16 are then folded inwardly and downwardly inside of the end flaps 22 and 23 and in engagement therewith, and the lugs 20 inserted in the elongated slots 21. In this position the normal tendency of the board to straighten causes a frictional engagement between the lugs 20 and the side edges of the slots 21 to retain the portions of the container body in assembled condition with substantially four thicknesses of the board defining each of the end wall structures.

Thecover 3 is then folded as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 by turning the side flaps 42 and 43 downwardly and then bending the portions of the corner flaps on the score lines 47 to form a doubled thickness, and then bending said doubled thickness corner flaps inwardly whereby they are positioned adjacent to and inwardly of the score lines 50. The end flaps 48 are then turned downwardly on the score lines 50 and the flanges 53 turned inwardly and upwardly whereby the corner flaps are between the end flaps 48 and 49 and their respective end flanges 53. The flanges 53 are then moved to extepd the lugs 54 into the elongated slots 55 whereby thefrictional engagement holds the cover in assembled condition. Then with contents placed in the containerxb ody 2, the cover is applied to the container body with the side flaps 42 and 43 extending downwardly with the inner surfaces thereof engaging the vertical surfaces 31 of the spacing lugs 29, whereby said side flaps 42 and 43 are spaced from the side walls 9 and 10 of the container body as illustrated in Fig. 5. When the cover is positioned on the container body, the cover is of such size that the inner surfaces of the end flanges 53 engage the outer surface of the end When it is desired to. releaserthe cover lock, arfinger may be inserted through the opening 59 to press'inwardly on the lugs 40 to disengage the edges 58 thereoffrom the respective edges 59 whereby the cover may be removed from the container body. It is to be understoodthe cover lock illustrated and described is exemplary only as other suitable fastening devices maybe used'to retain the cover on the container body.

When such a container is used for fruits and the like, which preferably during shipment and storage are arranged to have ventilation in the containers thereof, the containers are stacked with the sides and ends of the cover engaging corresponding portions of the cover of adjacent containers, and the projection of the sides and ends of the cover from the sides and ends of the container body is such that there is always a passage for air between adjacent sides and ends of the containers. The arrangement of the ventilating openings in the corners of the containers and covers is such that air can enter the containers and pass therethrough. Also, air can move he tween the side flaps 42 and 43 and the adjacent side walls 9 and 19 respectively and enter the ventilating openings formed by notches 39 in the upper edges of the side walls of the container. When the containers arestacked in a railroad car or the like,.the ventilating openings of one. container substantially register with the ventilating openings of adjacent containers whereby air can flow through from one container to another. Since no tape, staples or stitching is used in either the container body or cover, the blanks may be shipped or stored in flat condition either before or after use. Also, during use the ends of the cover cooperate with the ends of the container body to add substantial transverse stifiness to aid in preventing damage to the contents in the event of lateral shiftingof the cargo in a railroad car or the like, and the multiple thickness and particular construction at the ends of the containers provide extreme stacking strength in the containers thereby providing a structure capable for use in the shipment of fruit and the like without the use of wood strips or like reinforcing.

It is to be understood that While I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar as such limitations are included in the claims.

What I claim and desiretosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A container of the character described comprising, a substantially rectangular container body having a bottom wall and connected side and end walls upstanding therefi'om, end flaps joining the end of each of the side walls along foldable lines and extending inwardly to lie alongside the end walls, extensions on the end flaps remote from the side walls and reversely bent along foldable lines to overlie the end flaps, extensions on the end walls foldable inwardly and downwardly into engagement with the adjacent end flaps, inter-engaging portions on the end wall extensions and bottom wall for holding said walls and extensions in folded position, said end flap extensions and end walls having portions extending laterally beyond the side walls and forming spacing lugs for the container, a cover for the container body and having a top wall and downwardly turned side and end flaps on the side and end edges of said top wall, means for holding the side and end flaps of the cover in folded position, the side flaps of the cover extending downwardly and engaging the ends of the spacing lugs of the container body, and inter-engaging means on the container and cover for securing the cover on the container body.

2. A container of the character described comprising, a substantially rectangular container body having a bottom wall and connected side and end walls upstanding therefrom, end flaps joining the end of each of the side walls along foldable lines and extending inwardly to lie alongside the end walls, extensions on the end flaps remote from the side walls and reversely bent along foldable lines to-overliethe end flaps, extensions on the end walls foldable inwardly and downwardly into-engagement with the adjacent end flaps, inter-engagingportions on the end wall extensions andbottom wall for holding said walls and extensions in folded position, said end flap extensions and-end walls having'portions extending laterally beyond the-side walls and forming spacing lugs forthe container, a cover-for the container body and having a top wall and downwardly turned side and end flaps on the side and end edges of said top wall, corner flaps on the ends of the side flaps turned inwardly under the end flaps, inwardly and upwardly turned flanges on the lower edges of the end fiaps of thecover and extending inwardly of the corner flaps whereby said corner flaps are between the cover end flaps and end flap flanges, inter-engaging means on the end flap flanges and top wall for holding the flaps and flanges in folded position, the side flaps of the cover extending downwardly and engaging the ends of the spacing lugs of the container body, and inter-engaging means on the end wall of the container and end flanges of the cover for securing the cover on the container body.

3. A container of the character described comprising, a substantially rectangular container body having a bottom'wall and connected side and end walls upstanding therefrom, end flaps joining the end of each of the side walls along foldable lines and extendinginwardly to lie alongside the end walls, extensions on the end flaps remote from the side walls and reversely bent along foldable lines to overlie the end flaps, extensions on the end walls foldableinwardly and downwardly into engagement with the adjacentend flaps, inter-engaging portions on the end wall extensions and bottom wall for holding said walls and extensions in folded position, said end flap extensions and end walls having portions extending laterally beyond the side walls and forming spacing lugs for the container,

a cover for the container body and having a top wall and downwardly turned side and end flaps on the side and end edges of said top'wall, means holding the side and end flaps ofthe cover in folded position, the side flaps of the cover extending downwardly and engaging the ends of the spacing lugs of the container body, and inter-engaging means on the-container and cover for securing the cover on the container body, said container body having a plurality of ventilating openings with certain of said openings spaced along the adjacent portions of the bottom and side walls thereof and along the top edges of the side walls, said containercover having a plurality of ventilating openingswith certain of said openings spaced along the adjacent portions of the top wall and side flaps thereof whereby the ventilating openings in one container will substantially align with the ventilating openings of ad jacent containers when stacked as a solid load in a carrier.

4. A container of the character described comprising, a substantially rectangular container body having a bottom wall and connected side and end walls upstanding therefrom, end flaps joining the end of each of the side walls along foldable lines and extending inwardly to lie alongside the end walls, extensions on the end flaps remote from the side Walls and reversely bent along foldable lines to overlie the end flaps, extensions on the end walls foldable inwardly and downwardly into engagement with the adjacent end flaps, inter-engaging portions on the end wall extensions and bottom wall for holding said walls and extensions in folded position, said end flap extensions and end walls having portions extending laterally beyond the side walls and forming spacing lugs for the container, a cover for the container body and having a top wall and downwardly turned side and end flaps on the side and end edges of said top wall, corner flaps on the ends of the side flaps turned inwardly under the end flaps, inwardly and upwardly turned flanges on the lower edges of the end flaps of the cover and extending inwardly of the corner flaps whereby said corner flaps are between the cover end flaps and end flap flanges, inter-engaging means on the end flap flanges and top wall for holding the flaps and flanges in folded'position, the side flaps of the cover extending downwardly and engaging the ends of the spacing lugs of the container body, and inter-engaging means on the end wall of the container and end flanges of the cover for securing the cover on the container body, said container body having a plurality of ventilating openings spaced along the adjacent portions of the bottom and side walls thereof and a plurality of ventilating openings intermediate the sides and edges of the bottom wall and 'a plurality of ventilating openings spaced along the top edges of the side walls, said container cover having a plurality of ventilating openings spaced along the adjacent portions of the top Wall and side flaps thereof and a plurality of ventilating openings spaced in the top wall intermediate the sides and ends thereof. K

5. A container and cover structure comprising, a container body having a bottom wall, upturned side walls joining the bottom wall along oppositely disposed foldable lines, upturned end walls joining the bottom wall along other oppositely disposed foldable lines, said container body having a plurality of spaced ventilating openings along certain of said foldable lines, end flaps joining the ends of each of the side walls along foldable lines and extending inwardly to lie along the end walls, extensions on the end flaps and connected thereto at the inner ends thereof and reversely arranged relative thereto to overlie said end flaps, extensions on the end walls and joining the upper ends thereof along foldable lines and extending inwardly and downwardly in engagement with the adjacent end flaps, means holding said walls and extensions in folded position, said end flap extensions'and end walls having portions extending laterally "beyond the side walls and forming spacing lugs for the container body, a cover for the container body and having a top 7 wall and downwardly turned side and end flaps on the side and end edges of said top wall, corner flaps adjoining the ends of each of the side flaps along foldablelines and extending inwardly tolie alongithe end fiaps of the cover, inwardly and upwardly turned flanges on the lower edges of the end flaps of the cover and extending inwardly of the corner flaps whereby said corner flaps are between the cover end flaps and end flapflanges, means holding the flaps and flanges of the cover in folded position, the side flaps of the cover extending downwardly and engaging the ends of the spacing lugs of the container body, and means on the container and cover for securing the cover on the container body, said cover having a plurality of ventilating openings spaced along the adjacent portions of the top wall and side flaps thereof. 7 1 a a p 6. A container and cover structure comprising, a container body having a bottom wall, upturned sidewalls 8 V joining the bottomwall alongoppositely disposed-foldable lines, upturned 'end'walls joining the bottom wall along other 'oppositely di sposed foldable lines, said container'body having a plurality of spaced ventilating openings alongcertain of said foldable lines and in the bottom wall in -spaced relation to the foldable lines and in the side walls along the upper edge thereof, and flaps joining the ends of each of the side walls along foldable lines and extending inwardly to lie along the end walls, extensions on he end flaps and connected thereto at the inner reversely arranged relative thereto to flaps, extensions onthe end walls and ends Fthereof and overlie said end joining the upper ends thereof along foldable lines and extending inwardly and downwardly in engagement with the adjacent end flaps, interlocking portions on the end wall extensions and bottom wall for holding'said Walls and extensions in folded position, said end flap extensions and end walls having portions extending laterally beyond the side walls and forming spacing lugs for the container body, a cover for the container body and having a top wall andrdownwardly turned side and end flaps on the side and end edges of said top wall, corner flaps adjoining the ends of each of the side flaps along foldable lines andextending inwardly to lie along the end flaps of the cover, said corner flaps being reversely bent midway the length thereof to form a double thicknessthere of, inwardlyand upwardly turned flanges on the lower edgesof the endfiaps .of the cover andexten ding inwardly of the corner flaps whereby said corner flaps are between the cover end flaps and end flap flanges, inter-engaging means on the end fiapfianges and top wall for holding the flaps and flanges in folded position, the side flaps of the cover extendingdownwardly and engaging the ends of the spac ing lugs of the container body, and inter-engaging means on the end wall of the container and end flanges of the cover for securing the cover on the container body, said cover having a plurality of ventilating openings spaced alongthe adjacentportions of the top wall and side flaps thereof and a plurality of spaced ventilating openings in ,the top wall between the side and end edges thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED sTATEs PATENTS 

